Shed and feeding

[McBeardy]

Hey, all. My little guy is finally going into shed. He's been hanging out almost exclusively in his humid hide, his coloring is changing, and his eyes are getting dull. Tomorrow, Sunday, is his normal feeding day. I know that a lot of snakes won't eat when they're shedding so should I even bother with attempting to feed him? Just curious in what your thoughts are. Thanks in advance for and help!

[Toad37]

It's entirely up to the individual snake. I have a juvenile BP and he's NEVER refused even when in shed or immediately after handling. But I have an adult bp who's a finicky eater and will only eat on the 6th Tuesday of every 3rd month lol. Give it a shot and if he takes it great if not you will know for next time.

[fadingdaylight]

I tried doing this about a week and half ago, feed during the shed. My BP struck, but missed, then gave up. The interest was there but it didn't eat. Someone here mentioned something to me that I thought was important, so I will pass it along. Shedding and eating both require hydration. So even though your humidity is up during the shed, that's just enough to ensure a clean shed. Adding digestion into the mix means the snake will require addition water usage, so it can be a strain on their system, essentially. That said, I have decided not to try to feed during shed anymore, but just adjust the feeding schedule to the day I find that the shed is complete.

This worked fine last time, two days after the failed feed, I found the complete shed, and went ahead and fed that night, and just went from there on a 5 day rotation. Aside from this one incidence, my BP has not missed a meal yet.

[Craiga 01453]

Here's what I do...

Wirh each new snake i get, the first time the shed cycle coincides with their food schedule I offer. If the snake eats I continue to offer if that snake is in shed and a feed comes up.
If the snake refuses I never offer again while that snake is in shed.

My King is my only snake who eats in shed.

[bns]

Shedding requires energy, snakes will increase their body temp as they are developing new skin to aid in this process. Digestion also requires energy. Another thing,

I have never seen a snake in the wild hunting while in shed...

I don't feed any snake going into a shed cycle (not that I think any harm will come to them).

[cattleya0507]

So did you feed him?

My boy is 50-50, sometimes he eats and sometimes not. So I decided not to feed him during shed anymore and again a week after shedding.
It's quite common for adult males to go off feeding for a while. So I think this is a good opportunity to do that.